"A classic children's film from the master of Japanese animation." - Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope.

"Here is a children's film made for the world we should live in, rather than the one we occupy." - Roger Ebert, RogerEbert.com.

"What Miyazaki has animated is an idyll, that most melancholic and nostalgic of genres, where landscapes vanish, innocence is lost and death is as much a part of nature as life." - Anton Bitel, Eye for Film.

"It is imaginative yet so realistic in a way so original that its naivety and novelty still captivates its audiences to date although decades has passed. It preaches us to believe and respect the nature and spiritual world." - Rosalyn Lim.

My Neighbor Totoro (1988) is a family fantasy film by Hayao Miyazaki, the third film produced by Studio Ghibli. It is released as double feature in parallel with Grave of the Fireflies (1988) and both are released on the same bill in 1988. The dual billing was considered one of the most moving and remarkable double bills ever offered to a cinema audience.

My Neighbor Totoro (1988) Synopsis

Follow the adventures of Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei when they move into a new home in the countryside. To their delight, they discover that their new neighbor is Totoro, a mysterious forest spirit who can only be seen by children. Totoro introduces them to extradordinary characters -- including a cat that doubles as a bus! -- and takes them on an incredible journey.

Honestly, I am a little constrained to review this film as it is the trademark film of Studio Ghibli. This film is constantly regarded as one of the best animated film in the world and the company even have Totoro as its company logo. There is so much love for this film and it certainly has large following. However, I will review equally as usual and I hope I won't be misunderstood in any way - I love this film.

Sleepy Totoro and Mei.

My Neighbor Totoro (1988) is a lovely film. It is imaginative yet so realistic in a way so original that its naivety and novelty still captivates its audiences to date although decades has passed. It preaches us to believe and respect the nature and spiritual world. It is charming.

Totoro and the sisters.

Aside from being light-hearted most of the time, this film is also comical. I certainly smiled at several points of the film while they adapt country side life because the characters are adorable and I absolutely loved the yōkais created by the director especially Totoro and Susuwatari. You have no idea how much I loved supernatural and mythical creatures, fictional or not ♥

Mei and Susuwatari.

If I am to choose the best 1980s animated feature film from Studio Ghibli, I would certainly go for the lesser known film Grave of the Fireflies (1988) though. This is because of its powerful impact and I also liked Setsuko more than Mei. Spare me, Totoro's fans. *土下座*

Nonetheless, if you have not watch this film, you should and you will also be able to find out why My Neighbor Totoro (1988) has charmed thousands of fans worldwide!

Movie Ratings
Will write a page regarding this and add this to all animated feature entries in the future.

Who will like this?

People who wanted to watch something light-hearted and people who love yōkai will be delighted!
And of course, Totoro and Studio Ghibli fans!

This is university professor Tatsuo Kusakabe, Satsuki's and Mei's loving father. I find him calm and open-minded, which he also patiently listens and accepts yōkai stories from the girls. He is also very supportive of his family members and although he is just a minor character, we can tell that he loved his wife and daughters dearly. Tatsuo Kusakabe moved his family home to the countryside so that they could spend more time together and be nearer to the hospital his wife's admitted to!

My Neighbor Totoro (1988) Movie Quotes

These are some of what I've heard from watching the English version, I am not proficient enough to translate the Japanese lines accurately. Typed with my iphone ><

I thought he was a policeman!

Hello there, looks like we are going to be neighbors!

What are those fish swimming around?

That gotta be the biggest tree!

Well I am pretty sure they are dust bunnies. Dust bunnies make much more sense than ghost.